9 
during future seasons, and collect gradually, for the formation of a botanical museum and 
experimental laboratory, the vegetable products of the colony, but also to give the fullest 
access to his extensive and carefully examined botanical collections, which he desires, 
although they have absorbed the greater part of his private means and nearly all his 
leisure time for the last eighteen years, to transfer permanently to this department as a 
nucleus of a State collection. It comprises one of the most important series of Australian 
plants anywhere in existence, which null probably be consulted centuries hereafter, and which 
amounts to about 6000 well-marked species in very numerous varieties, and embraces 
also an herbarium of miscellaneous plants from all parts of the globe, entranced in value by 
many authentic specimens from the hands of celebrated botanical authors, the whole 
forming an accumulation of about 45,000 equally rvell preserved and arranged specimens, 
and exhibiting in about 1 5,000 species nearly one-sixth of the hitherto revealed vegetation 
of the world. 
I have the honor to be, 
Sir, 
Your most obedient and humble Servant, 
FERD. MUELLER, 
Government Botanist and Director of the Botanic Garden. 
The Hon. the Chief Secretary, 
&c., &c., &c. 
J 
r 
No. 17, c. 
